By TAYLOR BROWN
A young local musician will host a virtual concert this week to help a Donora family who recently lost a loved one to the coronavirus.
Devin Taquino, 47, passed away Friday after battling the virus for two weeks. He leaves behind a wife, Becky, and three children, Jonathon, Madyline and Kristofer.
Ringgold senior Tess Salzman is a classmate of Madyline and has decided to help the family through music.
Salzman said she was heartbroken for her friend when she heard the news.
“We might not talk every day, but she has always had my back and I have hers,” Salzman said. “I consider her one of my closest friends and on top of everything we are going through as seniors, she lost her dad. My heart is broken for her and her family.”
When thinking of ways to help, she decided to turn to what she loves most.
“I have been doing music for as long as I can remember,” Salzman said. “I thought the best way for me to help would be doing what I do best, which is music.”
Salzman will host a virtual concert from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday on her business Facebook page, “Tess Ann.” She will collect “tips” that will be donated directly to the family.
“I figured other people would be donating food and other things, and this is something that would allow people to give what they can, and also have a night of entertainment,” she said.
While her set list has not yet been finalized, she said she will be singing some of Devin Taquino’s favorite songs as requested by family members and other inspirational rock ballads.
“Knowing what an important part of her life she lost and knowing what a big heart her dad had, I want to get as many people involved as possible to help her family,” Salzman said. “I am hoping a lot of people will watch and give what they can so we can honor him and make sure the people he loved most are taken care of. It’s the best way I can think to help.”
The death of her friend’s father gave Salzman a personal look at how dangerous COVID-19 can be.
“To be honest, I was not really taking the virus that seriously,” she said. “Until Madyline’s dad passed away and then it really hit home and I realized this is not something to joke about.”
She is hoping the family’s tragic loss will help educate others.
“This is not something to mess around with,” she said. “I am heartbroken for my friend and her family. Seeing what they are going through is just horrible.
“So please wear gloves, wear masks, stay home if you can and tune in to my concert on Friday to help this family when they need it most.”
Salzman will post a link to the stream on her business Facebook page later this week for residents to tune in and donate to the Taquino family.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for Devin’s funeral expenses.
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/fundraiser-for-devin-taquino039s-funeral-expenses.